Camera operating method and electronic device implementing the same

Abstract

An image sensor is provided which includes a pixel array, a memory for storing setting information received from an external device of the image sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to generate an image using a signal sensed by the pixel array based on the setting information stored in the memory.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An image sensor, comprising:
 a pixel array;   a memory configured to store setting information received from an external device of the image sensor; and   a controller configured to generate an image using a signal sensed in the pixel array, based on the setting information stored in the memory.   
     
     
         2 . The image sensor of  claim 1 , wherein, when the external device or a power source of a display that is connected with the external device is activated, the memory is further configured to receive the setting information from the external device. 
     
     
         3 . The image sensor of  claim 1 , wherein, while the external device or a power source of a display that is connected with the external device is activated, the controller is further configured to maintain supplying power to the memory. 
     
     
         4 . The image sensor of  claim 3 , wherein the controller is further configured to not supply power to other parts of the image sensor excluding the memory. 
     
     
         5 . The image sensor of  claim 4 , wherein the controller is further configured to supply power to the other parts of the image sensor, based on a request for generating the image, which is received from the external device. 
     
     
         6 . The image sensor of  claim 1 , wherein the setting information includes information associated with at least one of a white balance, a light sensitivity setting, a shutter speed, a still image photographing mode, a video recording mode, a panorama photographing mode, and a scene mode. 
     
     
         7 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a first memory;   an image sensor comprising a second memory;   a processor; and   a communication interface between the image sensor and the processor,   wherein the processor is configured to transmit setting information stored in the first memory to the second memory through the communication interface, and generate an image based on setting information stored in the second memory.   
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a display connected with the processor,   wherein the processor is further configured to transmit the setting information to the image sensor while the display is active.   
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 8 , wherein the processor is further configured to maintain supplying power to the second memory while the display is active. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein, when a request for executing a camera application does not exist, the processor is further configured to not supply power to other parts of the image sensor excluding the second memory. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein, when it is determined that the electronic device is changed from a lock mode to an unlock mode, the processor is further configured to transmit the setting information to the image sensor. 
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the setting information includes a plurality of pieces of setting information; and
 the image sensor is configured to select, as a basis for generating image data, a setting corresponding to a command from among the plurality of pieces of setting information stored in the second memory in response to the command received from the processor.   
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the image sensor further comprises a power source terminal for providing power to the second memory, and is configured to maintain a power source to the second memory through the power supply terminal while a power source of the electronic device is turned on. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic device of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a power management module configured to supply power to the processor, the image sensor, and the first memory,   wherein, when the power source of the electronic device is turned on or a screen of the electronic device is turned on, the first memory comprises instructions which when executed by the processor:   command the power management module to supply power to the second memory; and   transmit at least one setting to the second memory.   
     
     
         15 . The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the first memory further comprises:
 instructions, which when executed by the processor, enables, in response to a first user input, command the power managing module to supply power to an analog block and a digital control block of the image sensor which is configured to perform a streaming operation including generating and outputting the image data, and command the image sensor to begin the streaming operation; and   instructions, which when executed by the processor, enables, in response to a second user input, command the image sensor to suspend the streaming operation, and command the power management module to not supply power to the analog block and the digital control block.   
     
     
         16 . The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the first memory further comprises instructions, which when executed by the processor, command the image sensor to change the streaming operation in response to a third user input; and
 the image sensor is further configured to select a setting corresponding to the streaming change instruction from among the plurality of settings stored in the second memory in response to the streaming change command, and generate image data based on the selected setting.   
     
     
         17 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a power management module configured to maintain supplying power to the second memory while a power source of the electronic device is turned on or a screen of the electronic device is turned on.   
     
     
         18 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a power management module configured to supply power to the processor and the image sensor,   wherein the processor is further configured to control the power management module to maintain supplying power to the second memory while a power source of the electronic device is turned on or a screen of the electronic device is turned on.   
     
     
         19 . A method of operating an electronic device including an image sensor and a power management module, the method comprising:
 controlling the power management module to supply power to a memory of the image sensor when a power source of the electronic device is turned on or when a screen of the electronic device is turned on;   transmitting a setting to the memory;   commanding, in response to a first user input, the power management module to supply power to an analog block and a digital control block of the image sensor which is configured to execute a streaming operation including generating and outputting image data based on a setting stored in the memory, and the image sensor to begin the streaming operation; and   commanding, in response to a second user input, the image sensor to suspend the streaming operation, and the power management module to suspend supplying power to the analog block and the digital control block.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 commanding the image sensor to change the streaming operation in response to a third user input.